Alumni Tell Students to “Slam Dunk” Their Opportunities

Current SC State communications students should be better prepared for life after college thanks to the Communications Club's alumni forum on March 29.

From left, Jaylaan Riley, Breylon Jones and Kris Bennett

It won't be a bed of roses, cautioned Jaylaan Riley (Class of 2017), Breylon Jones (2015) and Kris Kaylin Bennett (2016).

"Do not allow people to put limitations on you," said Bennett, a radio personality at Charleston's Z-93 radio. "Always be about business."

Post-graduation depression can also creep in. Finding that first full-time job can be challenging.

Kris Bennett started the "Bulldog Bite" video program at SCSU

"You will face depression if things are not going your way," Bennett said. "Work through the depression.

"When you get an opportunity, slam dunk your opportunity," she added.

Breylon Jones agrees. "Keep going, don't stop," said the radio personality at Greenville's 107.3 JAMZ and HOT 98.1.

Breylon Jones works in radio and at UPS 

Both Jones and Bennett are currently part-time at their radio stations, with aspirations to become full time and eventually ascend to the program director position.

Jones supports his broadcast dreams by working at UPS as a part-time warehouse manager.  His shift begins at 3 a.m. He does it not only for the money but the management experience he is gaining.

"Radio program directors must have managerial experience, " he said. "So I'm getting that at UPS. Would you rather sleep or pursue your dream?"

Monique Daniel (left) and Ashley Henricks were moderators

Jones had one of the session's more memorable lines, in my opinion, when he said: "'L' isn't always a loss. 'L' is a lesson."

Jaylaan Riley was an ROTC member and communications major. She has been posted with the Signal Corps at Fort Gordon, Ga. where she served as executive officer and assistant public affairs officer for the 359th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade.

A nice sized audience of students attended the forum

Since graduating and being commissioned in 2017 Riley has been promoted to first lieutenant with the U.S. Army Reserves. Recently, she became an account expert at a
T-Mobile call center in North Charleston. At
T-Mobile she also studies as a social media intern.

"Don't sell yourself short," she advised the students who filled the auditorium. "People will try to lowball you."

LTC. Rodlin Doyle attended- he heads the Bulldog Battalion

T-Mobile will assist Riley in pursuing a master's degree.  She also earned certification in Google analytics, which involved "how to read and understand those numbers" pertaining to, among other things, social media impressions and audience metrics, she said.

All three young alumni are entrepreneurial and have multiple coals in the fire. Riley has a website that she uses to expand her lifestyle brand. She has some clients that she helps promote (including Breylon Jones and another recent communications graduate Ashley Simmons).

Her site, "Laan Told You," can be found here.

Bennett shares photos from her recent Rain Gear Drive

Bennett spoke proudly of a recent Rain Gear Drive benefit she organized to provide umbrellas and rain shoes to kids at Charleston's Mitchell Elementary School. She had financial support from SC State's 1890 Research & Extension Program.  Click here to see a WCIV-TV report about the drive.

Follow her KrisKaylin Productions on Facebook and her YouTube channel (almost 1,100 subscribers!).

Bennett has also been busy directing a documentary which will soon screen in the Charleston area.

The dynamic trio!  

Jones founded Brilliant Views Productions, an online platform that highlights individuals trying to uplift their communities.

And he's a co-founder of Young Brothers Academy, which is a mentoring group for young African-American males that focuses on education, empowerment, and exposure.

The dynamic and ambitious alumni are friends from their college days.  They worked together and collaborated on various projects and activities at SC State.

Jones was a member of Omega Psi Phi and he co-founded "The Basement" college radio show.

Monique Daniel was co-moderator of the forum

Riley was very involved with the communications program as an undergraduate. She interned at WOCS radio in Orangeburg during her senior year.

And she was, of course, very involved with the Bulldog Battalion.

Bennett's Z-93 shirts were a hit and went quickly

Bennett's legacy at SC State included creating the "Bulldog Bite" web series. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, was business manager of the Campus Activities Board and part of the executive leadership council. She also served as Miss Freshman and Miss Sophomore.

We wish continued success to our graduates and are thankful they made the trek back to Orangeburg to share some wisdom with our current students.

Nice work by co-moderator and Communications Club president Ashley Hendricks who created this cool event flyer.